Orange Pecan Cream Cheese Pull Apart Danish Loaf
Transform your breakfast or dessert table with this show-stopping Orange Pecan Cream Cheese Pull Apart Danish Loaf. This irresistible recipe combines layers of soft, pillowy dough infused with zesty orange and a rich, tangy cream cheese filling, beautifully balanced by the crunch of toasted pecans. The loaf is baked to golden perfection and finished with a buttery glaze and a drizzle of freshly whisked orange glaze for a citrusy-sweet touch. Perfect for sharing, this pull-apart bread is designed for effortless enjoyment, making it an ideal treat for brunch gatherings, holiday mornings, or a decadent anytime indulgence. Bursting with bright citrus flavors, creamy decadence, and nutty texture, this Danish loaf is as impressive to serve as it is comforting to eat.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 cups All-purpose flour
- 0.25 cup Sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 2.25 teaspoons Instant yeast
- 0.75 cup Warm milk (110°F/43°C)
- 0.25 cup Unsalted butter, melted
- 1 unit Large egg
- 8 ounces Cream cheese, softened
- 0.5 cup Powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon Orange zest
- 1 cup Chopped pecans
- 2 tablespoons Orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 0.5 cup Powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
Instructions
In a large bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast.
Add the warm milk, melted butter, and egg to the dry mixture. Stir until a rough dough forms.
Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment for 5-6 minutes.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
While the dough rises, make the cream cheese filling by combining cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and orange zest in a bowl. Mix until smooth and set aside.
Lightly grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Set it aside.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a large rectangle (about 18x12 inches).
Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the rolled-out dough.
Sprinkle the chopped pecans on top of the cream cheese filling.
Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough into 4-inch-wide strips lengthwise. Stack the strips on top of each other, creating a layered stack.
Cut the stack into 4x4-inch squares and carefully place them upright into the loaf pan. Be sure to stagger layers for a pull-apart effect.
Cover the loaf pan and let the dough rise again for 30 minutes, or until it puffs up slightly.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake the loaf for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and fully cooked through. If it starts browning too quickly, cover the top with aluminum foil.
While the loaf bakes, make the orange glaze by whisking together powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. Set aside.
Once the loaf is out of the oven, brush the top with melted butter and drizzle with orange glaze.
Allow the loaf to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy this sweet and tangy pull-apart Danish loaf with family and friends!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
563 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 30.7 g | 39% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.4 g | 67% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 81 mg | 27% | |
| Sodium | 234 mg | 10% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 62.6 g | 23% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 24.5 g | ||
| Protein | 10.1 g | 20% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.5 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 78 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 185 mg | 4% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
